web facts 1 - a recipe for success…
Whether planning a new web site or making changes to an existing one, we believe that the following six ingredients are needed, each one playing an important role within the development process.
functionality
The function of a web site should be considered at the earliest stage of the development process, this will include the following:
- Site and menu structure to ensure easy site navigation.
- Database functions to enhance the end users experience and guarantee ease of data management.
- Forms, to tailor the information received from end users.
- Site map to assist the end user, and allow access to all areas of the site from one page.
- Site search, allows the user to search your site for key words allowing them to instantly access the information they need.
flexibility
A web site designed using the latest methods can be very flexible, the whole site can be visually changed without affecting the main HTML/XHTML content by:
- Separating the presentation material and business logic from the content and fully utilising Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
- Using separate include files for headers, footers and menu structure means the site can easily be adapted.
- Using structured programming, functions and modularisation, within the business logic.
- Utilising the database to allow site owners to easily add structured content.
- All this adds up to greatly increased download speeds, better search engine results and easier site maintenance, all positive features for both you and your customers.
- By using these methods it is far easier to add new functions to your web site at a later date or to change it's complete look and feel.
accessibility
Accessibility is becoming an increasingly important ingredient in web development and we take the challenge to build accessible web sites very seriously for the following reasons:
- It's the law, since October 1999, any provider of goods, facilities and services has been required to make 'reasonable adjustments' when providing information, making it accessible to disabled people.
- By developing web sites that comply with the current DDA requirements and beyond we will be able to implement future changes to your site more effectively.
- 14% of the UK population are registered disabled and are potential customers for you.
- 4% of the population in the UK have a problem with vision and may need to view your web site using alternative methods.
creativity
In all our web sites function and form play an equal role, so your web site must look attractive, be ergonomically designed and function correctly. We take as much care over the look and feel of your web site as we do over the function:
- A web site is an important marketing tool, the web sites we design will compliment and enhance your corporate branding, building on your existing image.
- All of our web sites are bespoke designs, tailored to your individual requirements, by listening to your ideas and plans.
- By fully utilising CSS for adaptively, we can design a site that looks as good in print as it does on screen.
tested
Before we upload any web site it rigorously tested to ensure that the HTML/XHTML code and Cascaded Style Sheets are error free. The site is then checked to ensure that all the necessary accessibility requirements have been met.
- All HTML/XHTML coded pages are checked using the W3C validation tools, no pages are signed off until they pass this test.
- All CSS lists are checked using W3C validation tools.
- The entire web site is checked using the most up to date accessibility tools and will be given a W3C Accessibility Guidelines Priority level 1, 2 or 3 pass.
- Priority level 1: must be met
- Priority level 2: (EU recommendation) should be met wherever possible
- Priority level 3: May be met to improve accessibility
- If required your web site can also be checked for the Section 508, American federal accessibility standard.
- All this validation and accessibility information is then added to a standard accessibility statement which can be viewed by visitors to your site.
search engine optimised
By using search engine friendly coding throughout you web site we have already made the first steps to getting good search engine rankings, but we do a few more things to help you on your way:
- Keyword optimisation, sounds simple but there are certain rules that need to be adhered to or your web site may be rejected.
- Submission to primary search engines (Google, Yahoo and MSN) and inclusion of the code they look for.
- Advice on reciprocal linking.
All the above methods of search engine optimisation are generally cheap options as they are included within the development costs. Unfortunately like most cheap options it takes a lot more time to see any results, other methods are available but they can be very expensive, we are always happy to discuss these methods with you.
